Jan. 17, 2026, 7:45 a.m. ET
The Miami Dolphins interviewed Jesse Minter for their head coaching job Thursday, but they’ll have plenty of competition if they hope to hire the young coach. All nine teams that parted with a coach requested an interview with the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator.
Minter is a rising star in the coaching ranks, using a blend of analytics and study of opposing offense’s tendencies to give opponents hell. During his second season of a two-year stint at Michigan, his Wolverines defense was the nation’s best and led the way to a win in the national championship by allowing only 10.4 points per game.
His philosophies have translated to the NFL too.
In 2024, no defense allowed fewer points than the Chargers. The year prior to Minter’s arrival, the Los Angeles defense, which had most of the same players, was No. 24 in the NFL.
BackgroundCurrent job: Defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers (2024-present)Age: 42Hometown: Little Rock, Ark.College: Mount St. Joseph UniversityExpert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.ExperienceDefensive coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers (2024-present)Defensive coordinator, Michigan Wolverines (2022-2023)Defensive coordinator/safeties coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (2021)Defensive backs coach, Baltimore Ravens (2020)Assistant defensive backs coach, Baltimore Ravens (2019)Defensive assistant, Baltimore Ravens (2017-2018)Defensive coordinator, Georgia State Panthers (2013-2016)Defensive coordinator, Indiana State Sycamores (2011-2012)Linebackers coach, Indiana State Sycamores (2009-2010)Graduate assistant, Cincinnati Bearcats (2007-2008)Defensive intern, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2006)
There are a lot of young, innovative minds on the offensive side of the ball, but Minter has a chance to be a real game-changer on defense. His work as a coordinator at both the collegiate and NFL level suggest he’s more than ready for a leading role.
The Dolphins defense finished 2025 with the ninth most points allowed and 11th most yards. There aren’t many long-term pieces in place, but Miami could get back on track much quicker if the team manages to maximize its 2024 and 2025 first-round picks: Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant.
Minter already worked with Grant, and Robinson looks like a perfect fit in the coach’s scheme, which helped Tuli Tuipulotu record 13 sacks.
They said it…
“Used to be, ‘Hey, it’s second-and-8, let’s hold them to half the yardage.’ But now you’re in third-and-4, but if you look at the third down percentages of winning, third-and-6 or more … you can dictate more on that D&D (third-and-6 or longer) so we’re trying to really attack on this down and distance (second-and-long), we’re trying to play tight coverage, we’re trying not to give up the quick game, the get-back-on-track plays.” – Jesse Minter (via The Athletic)
Bottom line
The only significant question is whether Minter has what it takes to be a head coach and lead an entire team.
Four years ago, Miami swung for the fences by hiring a young, innovative coach who had a different way of looking at, and thinking about an NFL offense. Hiring Minter might feel like a similar approach with defense swapped for offense.
But is that so bad? Mike McDaniel had his faults, but he also helped players like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, and Aaron Brewer to their best career seasons. If Minter could do the same on the defensive side, the Dolphins could get back on track sooner rather than later.